Japanese star Naoya Inoue has successfully defended his status as the undisputed world champion in the bantamweight division (55.22 kg), defeating Uzbekistan’s Murodjon Akhmadaliev, Championat reports.
After 12 rounds, all three judges scored the contest heavily in favour of the home fighter — 118:110, 117:111, 118:110.
Inoue controlled the bout almost from start to finish. Akhmadaliev looked for openings and tried to land a knockout punch, but the Japanese champion proved too quick. In the closing seconds, the Uzbek managed to land a heavy shot, yet it was not enough to alter the outcome.
This marked Inoue’s sixth defence...